When our mum died 27 years ago, Diana, although younger than me took her place. She was always a listening and sympathetic ear in times of trouble and over the years and there has been plenty of those. She loved and supported me like no one else ever has; I have so many happy memories of times when we laughed uncontrollably together. She was not just my sister she was my very best friend and will miss her physical presence for the rest of my life but I know she will always be close by me. One of the last things she said to me was ‘I have had 4 years more than mum, a very good life, I have a wonderful loving husband, 2 gorgeous children that I am very proud of and I’ve always been happy. I don’t need to say anymore about Diana because everyone that knew and loved her knows what a wonderful caring person she was but on her behalf I would like to say this: Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way that you always have. Put no difference in your tone; wear no forced air of sombreness or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Have fun, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was, let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. I will be there when you think of me and I will carry your love with me always.

If tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see. If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today. While thinking of the many things we didn't get to say. I know how much you love me, As much as I love you, and each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too; But when tomorrow starts without me, Please try to understand, that an angel came and called my name, And took me by the hand And said my place was ready, in heaven far above, And that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love. But as I turned to walk away, A tear fell from my eye, For all my life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die. I had so much to live for, So much left yet to do, it seemed almost impossible, that I was leaving you. I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad, I thought of all that we had shared, and all the fun we had. If I could relive yesterday, just even for a while, I'd say good-bye and kiss you and maybe see you smile. But then I fully realized, that this could never be, for emptiness and memories, would take the place of me. And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow, I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow. But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home. When God looked down and smiled at me, From His great golden throne, He said, "This is eternity, and all I've promised you." Today your life on earth is past, but here life starts anew. I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last, and since each day is the same way, there's no longing for the past. You have been so faithful, so trusting and so true. Though there were times you did some things, you knew you shouldn't do. But you have been forgiven, and now at last you're free. So won't you come and take my hand, and share my life with me So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart, for every time you think of me, I'm right here, in your heart...

I am I and you are you, whatever we were to each other that we still are. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? Life means all that it ever meant, it is the same as it ever was.